Well, it seems I have landed a grant for the garden that will allow me to create signage that identifies almost all of the plants on the grounds by their common name, botanical name, native status, and care requirements. Also, we will be creating a native plant guide to help explain the value of native plants in a yard to reduce watering costs and increase habitat for butterflies and other native critters. Lastly, I get to construct a few rain barrels, paint them, and put them in the garden for use.
I have wanted this for years! Yay! I could just river-dance!
As soon as the funding actually arrives I'll be sending in the signage order. Myself and a colleague have been furiously researching all of the information and fact checking it twice. I'll make sure to get pictures.
This almost balances out the fact that I will be here on Christmas Day... as someone must feed the bugs in the lab. Yes, the glorious life of a butterfly keeper. Up to the elbows in larvae 3 hours before Christmas dinner with the family.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Gaudy Sphinx
Brought to me in a shoebox, this green Gaudy Sphinx is pretty gorgeous.
Here he is:
Info from Butterflies and Moths of North America
Family: Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths (Sphingidae)
Subfamily: Macroglossinae (Macroglossinae)
Identification: Body and forewing uppersides are deep gray-green. Hindwing upperside has purple-blue patches, yellow borders, and a red spot near the inner margin. Underside is yellow-green and gray-purple.
Life history: Caterpillars pupate in shallow underground burrows.
Flight: . Several flights throughout the year in Florida, one flight from September-November northward.
Wing span: 4 5/16 - 4 3/4 inches (11 - 12 cm).
Caterpillar hosts: Grape (Vitis), vine (Cissus), and Christmasbush eupatorium (Eupatorium odoratum).
Adult food: Probably flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropics and subtropics.
Range: Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to Florida, Mississippi, South Texas, and Arizona. Strays to Missouri, southern Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine, and southern Saskatchewan.
Here he is:
Info from Butterflies and Moths of North America
Family: Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths (Sphingidae)
Subfamily: Macroglossinae (Macroglossinae)
Identification: Body and forewing uppersides are deep gray-green. Hindwing upperside has purple-blue patches, yellow borders, and a red spot near the inner margin. Underside is yellow-green and gray-purple.
Life history: Caterpillars pupate in shallow underground burrows.
Flight: . Several flights throughout the year in Florida, one flight from September-November northward.
Wing span: 4 5/16 - 4 3/4 inches (11 - 12 cm).
Caterpillar hosts: Grape (Vitis), vine (Cissus), and Christmasbush eupatorium (Eupatorium odoratum).
Adult food: Probably flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropics and subtropics.
Range: Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to Florida, Mississippi, South Texas, and Arizona. Strays to Missouri, southern Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine, and southern Saskatchewan.
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